Name: _______________
Phases of Matter Study Guide
Read the following passages about the three phases of matter,
and then fill in the blanks.
PHASES OF MATTER
There are three basic states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.
Everything on Earth is made up of microscopic particles (molecules,
ions, or atoms), and the speed and density of these particles
determine which state of matter and object is. The properties of the
three elements are very easily defined and identified.
1. The three states of matter are _________, ________ and
___________.
2. The ___________ and __________ of particles determine the
state of matter.
SOLID
Name: _______________
A solid is anything that holds a particular size and shape. An apple, a
block of wood, and a penny are all solids. The only way they can change
their shape is by force (for instance, if you bite the apple with your
teeth or chop the block of wood with an ax).
3. Solids hold a their size and _________.
4. Three examples of a solid are: ___________, _____________
and __________.
5. The only way to change the shape of a solid is by using
___________.
The particles in a solid are tightly packed and don't make a lot of
movements. There is not much free space in between the particles, so
there is very little room for the particles to move.
6. The particles of a solid are packed very ____________ and
there is very little room for the particles to
_______________.
LIQUID
A liquid is anything that has size or volume, but does not have a shape.
Liquids must be contained in a cup, bottle, or receptacle in order to
have a shape. Milk, water, and juice are liquids. When you pour milk
into a glass, it takes the shape of the glass. If you spill the glass of
milk on the floor, it will spread quickly as it takes the shape of the
floor.
7. Unlike solids, liquids do not have a ____________, unless in a
Name: _______________
container.
8. Three examples of liquids are: ___________, ____________
and _____________.
Liquid particles are not as close together as particles in a solid, and
move around and past each other much more freely. They have no
regular shape or arrangement and move freely.
9. Liquid particles aren’t stuck, but can _________ around and
__________ each other.
10.
Liquid particles have no shape and can move
_____________.
GAS
Gases are hard to identify because they have no color or shape. Take
a deep breath and feel your lungs get bigger. Your lungs are filling up
with air, and air is a combination of many gases. It has no shape or
size.
11.
Gasses have no ___________or ____________.
12.
Air is a combination of many ___________.
The particles in a gas move freely at high speeds. There is a lot of
free space in between the particles, and they take the shape of any
container.
13.
Particles of gas move ___________ at high ___________.
Name: _______________
14.
There is a lot of _________ _________ between the
particles of gas.
Using your knowledge of the three phases of matter, fill in the chart
by answering Yes or No in each box. (Look back at the paragraphs if
unsure).
Gas
Can take on the shape of any
container?
Particles can move freely?
Lots of free space between
particles?
Particles flow easily past one
another?
Changes shape only with force?
Liquid
Solid